Help Desk

The class may seem difficult so far. It should, we are starting off with pretty tough pace. I'm not going to promise that it will slow down or get a little easier, but I think it will. In any case, at this point trying to finish up the first homework set you may be wanting a little extra help, and we've got you covered.

All the intro physics TAs pool their office hours together to staff our physics Help Desk. You can find a schedule of available TAs and which room they will be in here. You can pick any time slot that is staffed and just show up to the relevant room, so you have lots of chances to go and ask questions.

(You can also always stick around after class and ask me questions, or come to my office hours too.)

Physics Help Desk Hours

The hours for the physics help desk are now posted.

The idea behind the help desk is that you can get assistance from any graduate assistant (GTA) from any 100-level course. They are all qualified to help you, so go to whichever GTA's office hours suit your schedule the best.

This is particularly important since we have no TA of our own ...

Lecture video / office hours today

Based on the poll response so far, I'll begin taking video (and audio) of the lecture portion of class starting tomorrow. I would have started yesterday already, but forgot the mic ...

If you are having trouble with the homework problems for tomorrow, I'll be in my Bevill office and mostly available after 2pm today. Failing that, I should be in my Gallalee office for the hour before class tomorrow.

Finally ... the notes I posted contain a huge hint for problem 9 on the homework. For problem 8, first find the acceleration vector, and then note that

a_t = \vec{a}\cdot\hat{T} = \vec{a}\cdot\frac{\vec{v}}{|\vec{v}|} = \frac{\vec{a}\cdot\vec{v}}{|\vec{v}|}

and

a_n^2 = |\vec{a}|^2 - a_t^2

Office Hours/contact info

Now that we have homework to do, you will probably have questions. There are number of ways to go about asking me things.

* Office hours will formally be Mon 11-1 in Bevill and Thursday 3-5 in Bevill 228. Other times are more than likely possible, if you send me a quick email/sms/etc (see below) to confirm.

* Most of my day is spent in the Bevill building where I do research, room 228 (office) or 180 (lab). I am really only in my Gallalee office just before and after class, typically. If you would rather meet me in Gallalee, either at the times above or otherwise, this is possible.

* I am on facebook, you can message me there.

* I read email somewhat obsessively.

* You can comment on this blog, I will reply.

* I have an IM account set up for this sort of thing. It is an AOL instant messenger account:
* Give me a call or send a text:

* I am usually up until about 2am. Calling that late is probably bad, though email/IM/etc are fine at all hours.

You can use what ever method of contact you find most convenient, they are all OK by me. Don't hesitate to ask questions outside class if you are having trouble with something ... if I didn't want you to ask questions, I wouldn't bother posting all of this ;-)

Office Hours Today

Well, I am back in the country as of last night ... I will be in my office in the Bevill building today, room 228, until about 6pm this evening. If you have any questions about the homework, class format, etc., today, feel free to drop by.